London mayor says Harry Potter theme park belongs in London

Slightly off but... Universal builds and designs great new attraction in Orlando (not new, they have built those before.) Will they be able to operate it or maintain it. Verdict is still out on that one.

Yes it may be a tragedy that Harry Potter world is in Florida but from my experience having lived the last three weeks in London is that the British have no substantial interest in theme parks. In fact, I've been ridiculed a number of times about wanting to visit some of the parks on the island. "You Americans and your theme parks!" So while I enjoyed seeing Kings' Cross Station and Millennium Bridge, I don't blame Universal for actually wanting to turn a profit on this venture.

Is Coasta Rica upset that Jurassic park is in Orlando when the movie/ book was set off the Coasta Rican islands?

Is Egypt upset over the Mummy ride?

Is Springfield upset about the Simpsons?

Is Cybertron Upset about the upcoming Transformers ride in Hollywood?

I say tell this guy to have a tall glass of GET THE HELL OVER IT.

He just wants publicity.

CPJ said:
Slightly off but... Universal builds and designs great new attraction in Orlando (not new, they have built those before.) Will they be able to operate it or maintain it. Verdict is still out on that one.

It is? Because Spiderman, the Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dudley Do-Right, all of Seuss Landing, etc., all seem to be just as good as they were ten years ago (periodic maintenance not withstanding).

Wait a second, Potter isn't a "British invention"? LOL, Rowling can do with HER creation whatever SHE sees fit. Until she is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the British government, Potter is her product to sell...presumably to the highest bidder. Because capitalism works on both sides of the pond! ;)

On behalf of everyone else in England I would like to apologise to everyone here for the embarassing and imbecilic rantings of a stupid buffoon who has somehow contrived to position himself in a high profile - if somewhat pointless - public office. Democracy is hugely overrated.

That's OK. The accent is still charming.

Can't believe this wasn't mentioned yet. But he comes out with this statement as BRITISH Petroleum is shooting countless barrels of petroleum into the Gulf and ultimately headed toward the Florida coast. Maybe they need to come up with two giant corks.

I think this guy is still peeved that Disney hired Dick van Dyke to play Bert in Mary Poppins. Get over it, already!

Martin Valt said:
On behalf of everyone else in England I would like to apologise to everyone here for the embarassing and imbecilic rantings of a stupid buffoon who has somehow contrived to position himself in a high profile - if somewhat pointless - public office. Democracy is hugely overrated.

The US really isn't in position to laugh at the results of the democratic process (i.e., elected officials) in other countries. IMO... ;)

Jeff said:
That's OK. The accent is still charming.

Jeff - There's nothing charming about Johnson, I assure you :)

I've read over and over in various places about that new "Harry Potter theme park" ready to open in Orlando. I seems no one draws the distinction between a theme park and a themed land within a park. If Mayor Johnson were to actually visit he might be disappointed to find that after plunking down 70 bucks he'll have to wade through super heros, cartoon characters, Dr Seuss, and Jurassic Park just to get there, and while fabulous as it may be, it's a small section of the park and not quite a whole day's worth of fun on it's own.

Now, an entire park devoted to master Potter and friends is a good idea with endless possibilities, and perhaps that should be the mayor's proposal, but i agree that the Brits will be less than interested. He's just bitter because it seems like he's missing out on some sort of tourism bonanza.

I'll never forget being at California Adventure, and a smiling, smiling gift shop castmember asked me if we were having a good time, and being the smartass that I am, I said "Oh, yes, this is a wonderful place, and you know? When I'm here, I feel like I'm actually IN CALIFORNIA!" She just kept smiling and said, "Yes, it is wonderful, isn't it?"

So, my next door neighbor is straight-up British, and we have a good time going back and forth- for instance, on the 4th I always put on my worst British accent to wish him a happy INDEPENDENCE day, and he always calls me Dick Van Dyke - (I think there's something to what you say, RGB). Anyway, I once told him one of my dreams is to get to the UK and visit places like Blackpool, etc, and he looked down his British nose at me as if I couldn't be any more low-life!

Next time you see him, just call him a bloody Hottentot.

Brian Noble said:
Enjoy it while you can. With the composition of the group we're in, I would not be surprised to see England run up the score on us this Saturday if they get the chance.

1-1 tie. I'll take it.

USA! USA! USA!

:)

RCMAC said:
Now, an entire park devoted to master Potter and friends is a good idea with endless possibilities...

I totally disagree. I don't think any movie or series is worth building an entire park around. So few movies are truly timeless enough to pull that off.

I agree that Universal shouldn't be advertising Potterland as a theme park, but I do think that HP will be just as timeless as Spiderman, Popeye, Jurassic Park, and Dr. Seuss storybooks and movies, even a few decades from now.

Or Peanuts characters?

Nice. :)